General Aviation Market Report 2026

The general aviation market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $29.56 billion in 2025 to $31.3 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.9%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increasing demand for pilot training driving expansion of flight schools and simulation services, rising use of turboprops and piston aircraft for regional and private travel, growth of maintenance, repair, and overhaul services supporting expanding general aviation fleets, development of aircraft leasing and financing options improving accessibility for operators, expansion of emergency medical services and agricultural aviation boosting aircraft utilization.

The general aviation market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $38.86 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.6%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growing adoption of advanced flight simulators to enhance pilot training effectiveness, rising demand for fuel-efficient and low-emission general aviation aircraft, expansion of air taxi and on-demand mobility services increasing fleet requirements, increasing investment in digital mro platforms improving aircraft maintenance efficiency, development of hybrid-electric and fully electric aircraft reshaping future general aviation operations. Major trends in the forecast period include rising demand for business aviation and on-demand aircraft charter services, expansion of flight training activity driven by global pilot shortages, fleet modernization and replacement of aging piston and turboprop aircraft, growth in outsourced mro contracts and integrated lifecycle support offerings, increasing utilization of general aviation for special-mission, aerial surveying, and emergency medical services.

The increasing demand for business aviation is expected to drive the growth of the general aviation market going forward. Business aviation refers to the use of aircraft by companies or individuals for business purposes, excluding commercial airline services, offering greater flexibility, time efficiency, and access to remote locations to support corporate productivity and connectivity. The demand for business aviation is rising due to expanding corporate travel needs and the emphasis on time efficiency. General aviation supports business aviation by delivering flexible, efficient, and on-demand air travel solutions that enhance corporate mobility and provide access to remote or underserved regions. For example, in October 2023, according to Honeywell International, Inc., a US-based manufacturing company, the Business Aviation Outlook projected up to 8,500 new business jet deliveries valued at $278 billion from 2024-2033, representing an increase of 500 aircraft and 6% more flights year-on-year. Therefore, the growing demand for business aviation is fueling the expansion of the general aviation market.

Major companies operating in the general aviation market are focusing on developing advanced cockpit automation and human-machine interface systems to enhance pilot workload reduction and operational efficiency. Cockpit automation and human-machine interface systems refer to integrated avionics, touchscreen controls, autothrottle, and autonomous-landing features that streamline flight operations, reduce manual pilot tasks, and improve safety and mission flexibility. For instance, in October 2024, Textron Aviation, a US-based general aviation business unit, introduced the prototype of the Cessna Citation CJ4 Gen3 aircraft featuring the Garmin G3000 PRIME next-generation avionics suite, including Garmin Autothrottles and Garmin Emergency Autoland, designed to reduce pilot workload and enhance connectivity and responsiveness. The aircraft completed a first flight of approximately 1 hour and 47 minutes, during which its new avionics, propulsion, environmental, and flight-control systems were evaluated, its design includes a maximum range of 2,165 nautical miles, a maximum cruise speed of 451 knots true airspeed, seating capacity for up to 11 occupants, and a useful load of 6,930 pounds.

In July 2025, Precision Aviation Group, a US-based provider of maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) and value-added supply chain services for the aerospace and defense industries, acquired Turner Aviation for an undisclosed amount. Through this acquisition, the strategic objective is to accelerate global expansion, particularly by establishing a presence in the EMEA region and providing faster local support and enhanced capabilities. Turner Aviation is a UK-based provider of avionics and component system repair and overhaul services.

Major companies operating in the general aviation market are Raytheon Technologies Corporation, Honeywell Aerospace, GE Aerospace, Safran S.A., Rolls-Royce Holdings plc, Leonardo S.p.A., Liebherr Aerospace, Textron Inc., Dassault Aviation, Bombardier Inc., Garmin Ltd., Embraer S.A., GKN Aerospace, Piper Aircraft, Pilatus Aircraft Ltd, Cirrus Aircraft, Honda Aircraft Company, Robinson Helicopter Company, Epic Aircraft, CubCrafters Inc.

North America was the largest region in the general aviation market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the general aviation market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report’s Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

Tariffs on aircraft, engines, avionics, and critical components are increasing acquisition and operating costs in the general aviation market, slowing fleet renewal and new aircraft purchases. These measures most strongly affect engine and avionics segments, as well as airframe and landing gear suppliers, with pronounced impact in North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific manufacturing and assembly hubs. Business jets, fixed-wing piston and turboprop aircraft, and rotorcraft used for charter, training, and agricultural operations face higher list prices and MRO expenses. However, tariffs are also encouraging localization of production, supplier diversification, and regional value chains, which in the long term can stimulate domestic manufacturing capabilities and resilience within the general aviation ecosystem.

The general aviation market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides general aviation market statistics, including general aviation industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a general aviation market share, detailed general aviation market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the general aviation industry. This general aviation market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

General aviation includes all civil aviation operations that do not involve scheduled commercial airline services or military activities. It covers a diverse range of operations such as private aviation, pilot instruction, crop dusting, and emergency medical transport. Serving as an essential segment of the aviation industry, general aviation facilitates regional integration, fosters economic progress, and contributes to pilot training. It significantly boosts transportation versatility and access across multiple industries.

The core elements of general aviation include avionics, airframe, landing gear, and engines. Avionics refer to the aircraft's electronic systems that help pilots navigate and operate the aircraft safely and effectively. The sector comprises various aircraft types, such as fixed-wing planes, rotorcraft, light sport aircraft, and business jets. General aviation is utilized for multiple purposes, including private travel, aircraft charters, flight education, and aerial inspections. It caters to a broad range of end users like corporations, sports and recreational enthusiasts, humanitarian missions, agriculture, and others.

The countries covered in the general aviation market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The general aviation market consists of revenues earned by entities by providing services such as maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO), aircraft leasing and financing, flight simulation, and pilot training. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The general aviation market also includes sales of ground support equipment, turboprops, piston aircraft, and helicopters. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is, the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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